They are substitutes for the real ones which are "bladeitems". (Visible when equipped).
The maincharacter wasn't suppose to equip them - that would have messed up things as he's carrying a sack and more already.
Later on he sells these items and the buyers do equip them because it looks good.

What do you mean Pieter, have you tranferred them to be questitems?
Hope not because they should give some bonus points and I can't do that with questitems.